301 Ky. Admin. Regs. 4:090

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 301 KAR 4:090 - Taxidermy and the buying and selling of inedible wildlife parts

RELATES TO: KRS 150.010, 150.175, 150.180, 150.183, 150.305, 150.330, 150.370, 150. 411, 150.722, 150.990

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations regarding the buying, selling, or transporting of wildlife. KRS 150.4111 authorizes a person to sell the inedible parts of any legally taken wildlife to a licensed taxidermist for the purpose of mounting, authorizes a licensed taxidermist to buy or sell the inedible parts of any legally taken wildlife for the purpose of mounting, and authorizes any person to purchase from or sell to a licensed taxidermist any legally mounted specimen. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for the buying and selling of inedible wildlife parts, and the proper disposal of cervid carcasses and parts.

Section 1. Definitions.

(1) "Cervid" means a member of the family Cervidae.

(2) "Federally protected wildlife" means any federally threatened or endangered species or any native migratory bird.

(3) "Furbearer" means mink, muskrat, beaver, raccoon, opossum, gray fox, red fox, least weasel, long-tailed weasel, river otter, bobcat, coyote, or striped skunk.

(4) "Licensed taxidermist" means any person, partnership, firm, or corporation that accepts remuneration for the mounting of skins or other inedible wildlife parts and who holds a valid Kentucky taxidermist license, as established in KRS 150.175.

(5) "Mounting" means to arrange processed wildlife for the purpose of display.

(6) "Permanently preserved pelt" means any processed furbearer pelt, but does not include raw fur or pelts treated with salt, borax, or sunlight.

Section 2. Licenses Required.

(1) Any person, partnership, firm, or corporation engaged in the business and accepting remuneration for mounting skins or other inedible parts of wildlife shall possess a valid Kentucky taxidermist license.

(2) A licensed taxidermist shall:

(a) Openly display a valid taxidermist license at the place of business; and

(b) Have all records pertaining to the business and all wildlife specimens or wildlife parts available for inspection during normal business hours by a department conservation officer.

(3) A person or business who transforms a legally acquired, processed, inedible wildlife part into a hand-crafted or manufactured finished product shall not be required to possess a license from the department.

(4) A person or business is not required to possess a license to buy or sell legally acquired furbearer inedible parts, secretions, or permanently preserved pelts, excluding raw fur.

(5) In addition to the appropriate state license, all licensed taxidermists who mount federally protected species shall possess a valid federal taxidermist license issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Section 3. Labeling Requirements.

(1) Each licensed taxidermist shall keep records of the name, address, and phone number of the owner and the date killed of all wildlife or wildlife parts in their possession and shall tag each specimen or part to identify its owner.

(2) Wildlife heads harvested in Kentucky or other parts separated from the carcass for mounting by a licensed taxidermist shall have the hunter's confirmation number, if applicable, attached to the separated part.

Section 4. Cervid Carcass Disposal. A licensed taxidermist shall dispose of any unused cervid carcass material by:

(1) Burying the carcass or parts in an opening in the earth at least four (4) feet deep with the carcass or parts covered with two (2) inches of quicklime and at least three (3) feet of earth;

(a) With the cervid abdominal cavity, if applicable, opened wide the entire length;

(b) At a point which is never covered with the overflow of ponds or streams; and

(c) Not less than 100 feet from any watercourse, sinkhole, well, spring, public highway, residence, or stable; or

(2) Depositing the carcass or parts in a contained landfill, as established in KRS Chapter 224.

301 KAR 4:090

15 Ky.R. 2328; 16 Ky.R. 11; eff. 6-28-1989; 45 Ky.R. 758, 1187; eff. 12-7-2018; 46 Ky.R. 152; eff. 9-10-2019.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 150.025(1), 150.4111